What’s a Gacha Game? A Random-Reward Mobile Game Inspired by Japanese Capsule Toys

TL;DR: Gacha games are a popular genre of mobile and online games where players use in-game currency to randomly unlock new characters, items, or upgrades—much like a digital version of toy capsule vending machines. This post explains how they work, why they’re addictive, and what parents should know about in-game spending and safety.

A Gacha game is a type of video game—usually mobile—where players spend virtual currency to receive random in-game rewards. The term “Gacha” comes from gachapon or gachagacha, Japanese vending machines that dispense mystery capsule toys¹.In these games, rewards can include:

Players don’t know what they’ll get in advance, making every pull feel like a gamble².

Gacha games tap into a powerful combination of collecting, surprise, and competition. Kids and teens enjoy:

Some of the most popular Gacha games in 2025 include:

These games often feature beautiful artwork, immersive storylines, and addictive gameplay loops⁵.

This is where parents need to pay attention.

Gacha games often use:

In short, they’re designed to keep kids coming back daily and feeling like they’ll miss out if they stop playing.

Players can earn virtual currency (called “gems,” “orbs,” or “primogems”) through gameplay—or buy them with real money¹¹.For example:

Kids can easily overspend chasing a rare item¹².

Here are a few conversation starters:

Help them understand that chance-based systems are designed to be addictive, and that budgeting their time and money is part of smart gaming.

Gacha games are fun, immersive, and incredibly popular—but they blur the lines between play and spending. As a parent, understanding how they work helps you set healthy boundaries and have smarter conversations about screen time and digital money.